Paddy Reilly's Music Bar

Doesn't Recommend

crab n.

Joined 1 year ago

clumsily mixed, overpriced cocktails. after recently moving to the neighborhood, my friend and i have been surveying various bars all along 2nd avenue in the 20s and 30s, trying to select a suitable location for an upcoming party of 35 people. paddy reilly's was one of the most disappointing venues--particularly since some people had such such nice things about it.

the drinks, which were overpriced, were weakly made and tasted a bit...off. perhaps the "top shelf" liquors were watered down or only the bottles were "top shelf". the "top shelf" vodka, for example, tasted more like senator's club.

our bartender (we went on the evening of saturday, january 14th) was a bit gruff and also somewhat unintelligible--perhaps it was her accent, or perhaps it was simply the mounds of food she kept shoveling down her craw.

a handful of shabby, cretinous barflies (one of whom was the bartender's apparent love interest), who emanated a marijuana stench and made witless slurs in between bites of sloppy sandwiches, perfectly complemented the mediocre drinks, a pervasive musty odor in the tavern, and an uninspired soundtrack that kept dropping in and out of earshot.

we will not return to this bar, and recommend that you don't waste your time or money there either.

Recommends

lily willow

Joined 3 years ago

Awesome Pub - Friendly people, great music. After much disappointment in the local bar scene, my friends and I stumbled upon Paddy Reilly's. The drinks were good, the waitress and the door person were very friendly, the live band was terrific and authentic. I love Irish music and this was just a fun fun place to spend the last night of my vacation with my NYC friends. I will be back!

Recommends

eat_club

Joined 8 years ago

Got What it Takes to be a Great Bar. What are the qualities of a good bar? 1 .Friendly service/clientele (check). 2. Lots of wood (check). 3. A good draft beer selection (BUZZZ, Guinness only-- but it is a good one, poured right!) 4.No bouncer (check). 5.No meatheads or sorority girls. (check). 6. Good bar food (BUZZ... but the nearby Pizza place is GREAT and they deliver to the bar). 7.No TVs. (half point) There's one TV in the front room only, and its easy to escape). . 8. Live music, or background music low enough to converse over. (Double Check... great live Irish music, low enough to converse over.) 7 out of eight... not bad! --Drink Club NYC is a roving group of NYC drinkers

Recommends

tikinyc

Joined 5 years ago

great live music bar. i recently went to paddy's for the first time, and i must say i was very impressed - while there is a cover ($5) and the beer isn't cheap (i think about $5-6 for bud light bottles and $6 for magners), i will definitely go back for the live music

Doesn't Recommend

terrapin07

Joined 5 years ago

Not what it used to be. This place used to be a gem, now it's just another overpriced Manhattan pub without any charm. In its heyday, I never minded paying the cover charge because the bands were good and the pints reasonably priced. But after my last visit, none of this rings true. A 5 dollar cover 3 hours before the band goes on and 7 dollar pints will have you bankrupt even before the band shows up. Also, on my last visit I noticed there wasn't a lot of people there which means other people feel the same way I do. The place used to get packed and was always fun. There wasn't even one person in the back room. I am sad to say that I will never return to Paddy Reilly's, but I will keep the good memories of how the place used to be.

Recommends

dv34

Joined 5 years ago

This pub is the greatest place in the world!!!. Sincerety and authenticity oozes from this friendly and laid-back pub. Step inside and you'll feel like you're living in a Shane MacGowan song. This place is home to some of the most interesting and friendly people in the city, and a venue for some outstanding Irish, folk, blues, and bluegrass performers.

Try to catch Random Folk (Tuesdays), the Prodigals (Fridays), Aprille Goodman (Sundays), and the Mickey Finns whenever they're playing. The Sunday afternoon bluegrass session and the Thursday night traditional Irish session are great for listening to and playing with.

Recommends

ajbraha

Joined 6 years ago

BEST EVAAA. Best bar in the city! Come on Thursday nights to enjoy some soulful irish music. Every night is something different.

Recommends

maeve08

Joined 7 years ago

Best Irish folk music in town!. I haven't been to Paddy Reilly's since last year-- but the last time I went, had the time of my life with my husband and our parents. We were there when an acoustic band was playing, got their CD -- Random Folk. It was a young group of great singers and instrumentalists who played all our favorite old Irish folk songs with beautiful harmonies. We danced and had a wonderful evening. We will definitely be going back the next time we have visitors in town!

Recommends

bonzobean

Joined 7 years ago

whats on tap. 8 taps of guinness , live traditional irish music 7 nights a week and a great bluegrass session on sunday afternoons in a very cozy pub atmosphere.

Recommends

Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Choose from five Guinness taps and savor the sounds of Ireland.. Though physically in the city, Paddy Reilly's Music Bar seems straight out of the Old Country. Horseshoes, barrels and old-fashioned water pumps decorate this spacious Irish pub, and patrons of all ages gather nightly in front of a small stage to hear traditional Irish bands play their Celtic hearts out (Black 47 and the Chieftains got their starts here). Even the bathrooms, dubbed the "Hen House" and the "Tool Shed," have a quaint, old-time tavern feel. Claiming to be the first and only all-draft Guinness bar in the world, Paddy Reilly's boasts five taps, all of which take their sweet time pouring nothing but fine, semi-solid Guinness. The dimly lit pub is never quite full, but doesn't feel empty. Plentiful cushioned benches offer ample space to sit.